Posted on Friday, 11/06/2009 - 11:32 p.m. PST — by chetw
This election was close because it was an open seat the GOPers really wanted and the Democrats had a light turnout. Don't forget Tauscher barely beat Bill Baker her first time. Garamendi will do much better in 2010 and so will Jerry McNerney. We expect the GOPers to waste tons of money and time in a strong effort but it will not change in the results. These two are perfect reps for the people in District 10 and 11.They will both be well funded and make strong winning campaigns in 2010.
Joined: Oct 2009
Current Posts: 4
I disagree with chetv: all of the election results in 2010 will turn in large part on what is happening in DC and on what the current administration has done. More than ever before, local elections will be a referendum on the Democrat administration (Reid, Pelosi, etc), and on Obama policy (whether successfully implemented or not). The label "incumbent" may actually become a deficit in 2010. Harmer's showing against a long-time hack, establishment politician is nothing short of amazing, and is proof of the fact that already a ground swell is building against the direction which the federal government wants to take the country and which Garamendi fully supports. When he gets to DC and falls in line with the "wrong-headed" policy makers there, his seat, as well as all others will be up for grabs - if voters have even a lick of sense left. And if you haven't guessed by now, yes I was, and still am, a Harmer supporter.
Joined: Jul 2007
Current Posts: 54
With a slogan like NO MORE BAILOUTS he's really clarifying his politics. I can't wait to vote no on another Repug.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 11
IF virginia and new jersey are any sign I think the democratic machine better start worrying that many will lose their seats next year ..especially after they are held accountable for destroying our economy and heathcare!!
Joined: Jan 2006
Current Posts: 6
"And she had only nominal Republican opposition since 2002, when the new 10th District boundaries put the seat into safe Democratic territory."
So, the reason for the wins was that the Democratic leadership juryrigged the boundries so that THE DEMOCRAT CANT LOSE!...and yet, he almost did.
Something is very wrong with the system when the elected officials pick their voters instead of the voters picking the officials.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 154
That pretty much sums up where Republicans are these days...All they can do is bash Obama and Democrats - they have no ideas of their own, which is why they are known as the party of no.
Joined: Nov 2009
Current Posts: 1
I sincerely hope that the Republicans have many other galvanizing moments, like their incredible loss in the 23rd Congressional district in New York where the party base, now only knuckle dragging flat earthers, crypto fascists, right wing anarchists, bigots and retards, managed to turn a district which hadn't sent a Democrat to Congress since 1892 into a victory for their opponent. I have voted for the occasional Republican in the past but so long as the party is as it is today, an open sewer of hatred, mendacity, and lunacy, that isn't likely henceforth.
Joined: May 2004
Current Posts: 143
Tauscher wins by 33 pts and Garamendi wins by 10 pts ?? Very interesting. There are several contributing factors....whose president, whose running againt who...depends on both opposing candidates. There are many seats where Repubs could win....IF they put up electable candidates. McNerney is a weak nothing and should be beatable...depends on WHO Repubs nominate. I F every Repub voted for the Repub candidate it would not be enouigh to defeat a Dem. Repubs do NOT have the registration numers. Repubs MUST get independent, decline-to-state voters in order to win. Some of the extreme radically SOCIAL conservative mistakenly think winning means winning a primary. WRONG. It means nominating a candidate that can get enough votes in NOV general election...beyond party numbers to win. Otherwise they're on the outside looking in. The far SOCIAL right likes to require suicide pledges and punishments...like the extreme left, .. all of which QUARANTEES the nominees LOSS.
Joined: May 2004
Current Posts: 143
Tauscher wins by 33 pts and Garamendi wins by 10 pts ?? Very interesting. There are several contributing factors....whose president, whose running againt who...depends on both opposing candidates. There are many seats where Repubs could win....IF they put up electable candidates. McNerney is a weak nothing and should be beatable...depends on WHO Repubs nominate. I F every Repub voted for the Repub candidate it would not be enouigh to defeat a Dem. Repubs do NOT have the registration numers. Repubs MUST get independent, decline-to-state voters in order to win. Some of the extreme radically SOCIAL conservative mistakenly think winning means winning a primary. WRONG. It means nominating a candidate that can get enough votes in NOV general election...beyond party numbers to win. Otherwise they're on the outside looking in. The far SOCIAL right likes to require suicide pledges and punishments...like the extreme left, .. all of which QUARANTEES the nominees LOSS.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 11
I think we can all count on the GOPers in at least the next two election cycles 2010 and 2012 continuing to make the the wrong decisions on who to have the ticket in both local and national campaigns. With Rush running the party and Palin hovering over the GOP mess that is what we will continue to get even more far right out of touch candidates on the GOP ticket while the Democrats move more to the center and increase their majorities. And for sure this is good for the country and bitter poison for the GOPers. The GOPers deserve it after delivering the worst President in our history in Bush. With Bush/Cheney the GOP lost a generation of young voters and a huge number of Independent voters at the same time.
Joined: May 2004
Current Posts: 143
Now, now. No thinking person would hold you resposible for a drunk uncle or [bleep]ty cousin . Surely as an intelligent critical thinker, you wouldn't hold a CA newcomer responsible for a president's action 5 years earlier. Otherwise we'd have to hold all current Dems responsible for Obama's crimes as a lawyer for ACORN and as a community organizer deep in the heart of famous 'Cook County' corruption.
Joined: Mar 2008
Current Posts: 37
If Republicans want to start winning elections in the Bay area, their best hope is putting up candidates like Tom Campbell. Otherwise, they are wasting their money.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 11
The GOPers have shown they are now controlled by Rush/Beck/Palin and can be counted on putting up folks that will get win the GOPers primary but will be rejected in the general election. They will be wasting all Republicans money.
Joined: Mar 2007
Current Posts: 446
The Republicans should have run Guy Houston against Jerry McNerney rather than Dean Andal. Harmer is a Pacific Legal Foundation/Heritage Foundation rightwing extremist and isn't going to win around here. Until they purge the looney-tunes anti-science, global warming denying, pro-Klan, Obama's-a-foreigner, Wonder-Bread-is-real-food whack jobs out of their party, they are going to stay on the decline.